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January
28, 2002 | Recently there has been talk of networks and
warfare. It may come as a surprise to some that the US has
been actively researching network-centric warfare since the 1990s.
One key component of their future vision is network-enabled infantry.
Wearable computers are in use right now, providing portable technical
manuals for repair crews (see Wearable
computers hit the front lines). The Land Warrior project
takes wearable computing to its logical conclusion, linking together
components such as a radio system, a rifle-mounted video camera
and thermal sight, and GPS (enhanced by a dead-reckoning module
that tracks the soldier's movement, increasing robustness and accuracy
- see Accelerated
Insertion). Advances in technology since 1996 have made
the prototype lighter, accelerating the feasibility of the project,
but there is more to this than meets the eye.
There's a corollary to William Gibson's line "The street finds
its own use for technology." So can the military.
Significant cost reductions have been made by employing COTS (commercial
off-the-shelf) hardware instead of the slower cycle of designing
and testing custom hardware. In addition to leveraging the
efficiencies of mass production during the prototype stage, the
Army benefits from the faster design cycle in the private sector.
Increases in computing power and weight reduction have accelerated
a program which had recently been ailing. The earlier version
of the suit got a failing grade from the GAO (General Accounting
Office) in 1999. Currently plans are to start delivery of
34,000 production units in 2003, with a blistering design cycle
pace anticipating an enhanced prototype every year. (There
is some disagreement between sources on these figures.) The
acceleration in productivity delivered by employing COTS is perhaps
analogous to software authors leveraging open source rather than
reinventing the wheel. A system once estimated to cost $35K
is now expected to be only $15K in production. Furthermore,
the system is modular, allowing for upgrades as technology advances.
The helmet HUD (heads-up display) allows maps to be displayed with
relative positions of squadmates, or three-dimensional layouts to
be superimposed in their field of vision. In conjuction with
the rifle-mounted camera, the solider will be able to take shots
while making better use of cover. The final version will allow
the soldier to spot a target and call in indirect fire.
Wearable computing enthusiasts might take a cue from some clever
engineering. The main computer is packed within silicon gel
which does double duty as both a shock absorber and a coolant (see
LandWarrior).
Geeks will be disappointed to learn that the computer runs a custom
version of Windows 2000 on a Pentium III clocked at 500 MHz.
An 800 MB flash memory drive means one less component involving
moving parts (see The
Register). The radio subsystem runs on WinCE. In
theory, costs could be further reduced by turning to open source
alternatives such as embedded Linux. If nothing else, it would
put to rest any morbid "blue screen of death" jokes.
The weight of the computer equipment is a small fraction of the
total. For instance, the INTERCEPTOR body armor (see SOLDIERS
ONLINE - WHAT'S NEW) clocks in around 16.4 pounds (7.5kg), nearing
half the weight of conventional armor yet still capable of stopping
5.56mm rounds. Using dual plates, the armor can withstand
multiple 7.62mm hits. For additional protection, they also
picked up protective elbow and knee pads, perhaps taking inspiration
from rollerblade enthusiasts.
The COTS approach may very well have saved the program, as it also
allowed for much needed weight reduction in the system; maximizing
portability and minimizing bulk in several subsystems was being
driven by the needs of mobile computing. Prior to the use
of COTS hardware, the program was nearly cancelled in 1998 (see
National
Defense Magazine). Battery technology is one area where
the designers anticipate that strides will be made in the next few
years. The timeliness of this is crucial, as the advanced batteries
are still too heavy in the current prototype. High power density
is critical to sustained mission operation.
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The batteries for version 0.6 of the suit are lithium ion cells
that weigh 2.4 pounds (1.1 kg) and last for 6-8 mission hours, backed
up by a reserve nonrechargable battery for perhaps another 9-12
hours. The physical configuration of the cells apparently
adds 20% power density (see Lithium-ion
rechargeable batteries from Saft) compared to cylindrical units.
Lighter and more powerful batteries are in the works, and will no
doubt continue to benefit from advances in commercial battery technology
for notebooks and cellphones. Fuel cells are being investigated
for future applications. Power conservation modes may also
be employed.
The current vision of the hardware will provide for two models:
a soldier system and a leader system, the latter being distinguished
by an additional radio, a flat panel screen, and keyboard (see DefenseLINK
News: Army Tests Land Warrior for 21st Century Soldiers).
The soldier model has one radio, but the information transmitted
may include digital feeds. Soldiers can send video feeds to
the leader.
The system employs a wireless LAN. The connectivity is network-centric,
apparently in broadcast mode at least within the squad, not peer-to-peer
(see DefenseLINK
News: Land Warrior Coming to a Grunt Near You). USB support
is provided, presumably to allow for the linkage of mission-specific
modules. Plug-and-play indeed.
Further on the horizon is the technology of the JEDI (Joint Expeditionary
Digital Information) vest (see CNN.com
- Space - Army develops prototype for 'wired' soldier of tomorrow
- April 19, 2000), allowing for satellite linkage and even larger
scale networking.
Nor is the USA alone in exploring advanced technology for infantry.
The UK has a program called Crusader 21, and Australia has Land
125 (see National
Defense Magazine), although their technological foci differ,
in part due to differences in intended application.
These networking technologies point to a potentially radical reorganization
in how infantry coordinates activity, exceeding at least temporarily
the capacity to apply it effectively. Networked combat may
empower infantry to unprecedented levels by providing them with
sufficient information to make better decisions, rather than suffering
tactical information flows being overly constrained by hierarchy.
Improved and readily available intelligence enhances situational
awareness in combat. Current doctrine is shifting, exploring the
possibility of more robust "internetted" command structure (see
TRADOC
Pam 525-5, Chapter 2).
They haven't applied all the lessons they could have from the Internet
with regard to network robustness. Take out a single node
on the Internet, and traffic can be diverted down alternate routes.
Internet-style redundancy and robustness suggest a slightly more
expensive approach of equipping all suits as potential leaders,
allowing the squad to retain more of its effectiveness should the
leader unit be disabled. This would also maximize the capacity
for individual soldiers to reconfigure their roles should the situation
require it.
Despite the technological appeal inherent in such attempts at RMA
(Revolution in Military Affairs), we must also bear in mind the
human element in warfare and avoid technofetishist tunnel vision
(see The
Revolution in Military Affairs: Forword and Summary). We are
a long way off from fully automated warfare in the style of the
Terminator movies, and that is probably better than the inhuman
alternative.
[As an exercise in Internet OSI (open source intelligence) gathering,
all source information was obtained from the Internet with the assistance
of conventional search engines. There was some disagreement between
sources regarding some specifications, but this can be at least
partially explained by the evolutionary nature of the project specifications.]
Bio:
Jim
Lai is currently a senior programmer. His first encounter
with computers was around 1980. Since then he has developed many
geekly talents and skills in his quest to be a modern day Renaissance
man. Still not King. His physical presence is located in Toronto,
Canada.
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